- The Texas House has passed a measure that would allow the state's Department of Transportation to establish a speed limit not to exceed 85 mph on designated lanes or entire stretches of the state highway system.
- If approved, the new 85-mph limit would be the highest in the U.S.
- One opponent observed that "the two things that kill most people on our highways are speed and alcohol."
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas House has passed a measure that would allow the state's Department of Transportation to establish a speed limit of up to 85 mph on designated lanes or entire stretches of the state highway system. The Texas Senate is considering a similar proposal.
If approved, the new 85-mph limit would be the highest in the U.S., according to Reuters, which noted that Texas and Utah are the only two states currently with posted limits of 80 mph on remote stretches of the interstate.
The Associated Press quoted Representative Lois Kolkhorst, who introduced the bill, as saying: "They have high-speed roadways in Europe, and there could be some merit in having some of those highways in Texas. Given the right engineering, we should consider it."
Jerry Johns, of the Southwest Insurance Information Institute, told the AP the proposed 85-mph speed limit in Texas would be a bad idea: "Obviously, the two things that kill most people on our highways are speed and alcohol. Increasing it to 85, or even 75, will have a dramatic impact on the death and injury rate on those highways where it's implemented."
Inside Line says: This one might die in committee if pump prices soar above $5 a gallon. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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tbone85 says:
07:04 PM, 04/11/2011
I spent extensive time in Texas a couple decades back, and my buddy who has lived there since that time tells me that the drivers are no better. All the cute variations of "speed doesn't kill" in the world won't reverse the fact that bad drivers are even worse at higher speeds. I'm glad I'm not down there right now.
nk1745 says:
05:08 PM, 04/11/2011
"Speed doesn't kill! Suddenly becoming stationary - thats the killer." -Jeremy Clarkson
dgs4 says:
02:01 AM, 04/11/2011
"Not only are European Highways better built than ours, they take twice as long to build their roads and they last three times longer. Drunk drivers in Europe often loose their right to drive for life on a second offense, good luck trying to do that here."
And their also better drivers, much betters drivers on average than in the US. Most drivers here flat suck, and fewer know the rules of the road.
I live in Texas, and for the most part enjoy living here, but these drivers are terrible. It's either a moron speeding around and cutting people off in a pickup truck (Texas is the land of the pickup truck), or it's some distracted soccer mom in her 6,000 lb Chevy Tahoe. Traffic here is ridiculous, with people stopping right in the middle of the freeway for no apparent reason, other than they got confused where they were going. I regularly have to take many deep breaths driving in Texas due to the sheer stupidity and rudeness (although California drivers are worse, so in that sense I count my blessings I don't live there).
travai says:
09:36 AM, 04/10/2011
People always bring up Germany, but the facts are that -- in Germany -- cars, gasoline, drivers' education, and licensing are prohibitively expensive. Meaning: Drivers take driving much more seriously there. Furthermore, the driving culture is very different -- and that makes all the difference.
I'm all for higher speed limits, but higher levels of brain function needs to accompany them.
Viel Spaß zu der Geschwindigkeitsübertretung!
keyboardwars says:
07:13 PM, 04/09/2011
This wont make much of a difference as the busiest highways will remain unaffected. Here in Houston there are people going speeds ranging from 55 to 120 mph in the left lane.
kosmo69 says:
06:35 PM, 04/09/2011
apoth3cary youre dumb. whos talking about capital punishment?
Im a speeder in Texas, but I dont think this will fly as gas prices will continue to rise.
openeyes1 says:
07:24 AM, 04/09/2011
@cz_75, You've got a few good points there about the German drivers, however this is the US and over here we reward stupidity big time. What other country needs to put warnings on a new outdoor grill in English and Spanish, that placing your hand on this grill when in operation will result in severe burns!
Not only are European Highways better built than ours, they take twice as long to build their roads and they last three times longer. Drunk drivers in Europe often loose their right to drive for life on a second offense, good luck trying to do that here.
I would love to drive at high speeds on our roadways, weather permitting, I just don't trust the roads or the other drivers that much.
cz_75 says:
11:39 PM, 04/08/2011
Highway deaths are the lowest they've ever been in the US and Germany still has lower death rates. Speed, obviously, does not kill or the autobahn would be an abattoir. Insurance companies should promote a higher standard of training for drivers, like Germany, not pathetically low limits to cater to the lowest common denominator.
Since someone already soluted TX, I solvent it.
smallfield says:
08:42 PM, 04/08/2011
@rexall
I agree the variation in speed is the most dangerous (NTSB data) - though this increases with higher speed limits
Either way - Texas rocks - Why not benefit from safer and faster cars.
rpvitiello says:
08:40 PM, 04/08/2011
"Obviously, the two things that kill most people on our highways are speed and alcohol."
I am SO sick and tired of hearing this line of utter BS. Excessive speed, (aka traveling TOO fast for conditions) kills. Setting the speedlimit at anything other than the 85% speed of free flowing traffic does nothing but INCREASE accidents. Speed limits are a guide to what is a safe speed to travel on a road, not a control device to limit how fast you go. Why can't people seem to comprehend that like people in most countries do at this point.